https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-530-Azure-Sun-Demon-Lord-I-Want-It-All-/12942097/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-532-Annihilating-Southern-Heaven-Acquiring-Flying-Swans-and-Subduing-Cultivators-/12942133/
Chapter 531: The Demon Lord's Initial Display of Power
Chapter 531: The Demon Lord's Initial Display of Power
The Fiery Poison Mist, originally derived from an incomplete body-cultivation technique, the 'Heaven Soaring Transformation', included an expendable spell.
It simulated the ferocious malevolent qi of the fire-type demon phoenix.
Luo Chen had studied this spell long ago, adding a large amount of Earth Fire malevolent qi, and cultivated it to a minor proficiency.
This spell was quite practical, yet also quite awkward.
Its practicality lay in its ability to create a highly compatible combat environment for oneself during battles.
Moreover, due to the powerful malevolent qi within, it had a strong polluting effect on the enemies' magical treasures, divine souls, and bodies.
The awkwardness lay in the fact that, in the early years, this technique had to be used while transforming into the true body of the demon phoenix.
Otherwise, the human body's structure, once exposed to excessive malevolent qi, would backfire and harm oneself.
Not only that, but improving proficiency in this technique was extremely challenging, not just limited by the number of times it could be cast, but also by the rank of the malevolent qi.
The malevolent qi Luo Chen had collected in his early years was mostly first and second rank Earth Fire malevolent qi, not of any notable quality.
Even after later infusing it with third rank Earth Fire malevolent qi, it was still the most common ordinary malevolent qi.
Luo Chen had also spent a lot of effort to have the Luo Heavenly Sect collect precious malevolent qi, but they were few and far between, only bringing him back a large amount of third rank Earth Fire malevolent qi to enrich this technique.
These were the reasons for the awkwardness.
However!
With the passage of time, these problems had gradually been resolved.
The issue of the human body being unable to release the Fiery Poison Mist was solved after he refined his lifebound treasure, the Primordial Cauldron, which could then nurture the Fiery Poison Mist.
With constant communication through his spiritual power, his body gradually became able to withstand the onslaught of malevolent qi within the Fiery Poison Mist.
Next was the issue of high-rank malevolent qi.
In this aspect, he obtained a gourd of 'Flourish and Wither Malevolent Qi' from the Flame Alliance, a rare and precious malevolent qi no less inferior to the Flame Yang True Malevolent Qi.
Moreover, it shared the same origin as his Essence True Flame! With this, his adaptation and control over the Fiery Poison Mist reached a higher level.
Lastly, he had recently switched to cultivating the 'Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture'.
His domineering yet pure fire-attributed spiritual power allowed him to feel completely at ease within the Fiery Poison Mist.
It could be said that the current Fiery Poison Mist could indeed be considered one of Luo Chen's signature techniques.
Using this against Yan Nantian's Soul Seizing Banner should pose no problem.
As for Yan Nantian, who had neither enmity nor grievances with him, and had never offended him, and with no interactions between the two, was Luo Chen's decision to confront him unprincipled?
In this regard, Luo Chen bore no moral burden.
The path of cultivation has always been like this! Tribulation Cultivators didn't consider grudges when they blocked his path.
When Uncle Mi forcefully recruited him into the Mountain-Breaking Gang, could Luo Chen have said 'no'?
It was precisely under such influences that Luo Chen gradually became accustomed to this style.
Live and let live? What outdated thinking!
When he first arrived at Little Heavenly Mountain, Duan Qiankun hadn't even taken action against him yet.
Upon reaching Tianlan Immortal City, in order to promote his Jade Pill, he employed various means, forcing other pill sects into dire straits.
Did the Dragon Spine Zheng Family, Pill Foundation Sect, and Perfumed Flower River Li Family provoke Luo Chen before that?
In business, killing is the most bloodless.
The decrease in pill profits meant fewer spirit stones, fewer cultivation resources, and slower cultivation speed, which was the real grudge that hindered the path.
Hence, there were later incidents like the Perfumed Flower River Li Family being forced to switch sides through marriage, and the Pill Foundation Sect's repeated offenses.
Luo Chen's style had been established long ago.
Subtly, he leaned towards the 'Survival of the Fittest' of the Demon Sect, believing in the law of the jungle.
Perhaps this was why Cheng Haichang and Cheng Dou unconsciously associated Luo Chen with the remnants of the Demon Sect when they first met him!
Their auras were indeed somewhat similar.
Perhaps some were curious as to why Luo Chen's reputation remained decent despite his ruthless style.
This brings us to Luo Chen's only softness—his gentle treatment of his own people!
Gentle internally, fierce externally, and not bullying ordinary cultivators without reason.
Such a style is actually quite rare in today's cultivation world.
However, this time, Luo Chen was being even more blatant and audacious!
He wasn't a good person, and Yan Nantian wasn't virtuous either, and with Cheng Dou acting as the intermediary, the timing was just right.
...
Half a month later.
On Moon Invitation Island.
Black mist enveloped the island, no longer resembling the past, where the moonlight reflected on the lake, creating a beautiful scene of three people in the shadows.
The island wasn't very large, and with the accompanying freshwater lake, it only spanned an area of ten li.
However, it was precisely because of this modest size that it highlighted its status as the essence among the Flying Swallow Thirty-Six Islands!
Among the thirty-six islands, most were first or second rank spirit veins.
Only Moon Invitation Island, this small island, possessed a small third rank spirit vein!
In the early years, although this island was controlled by a family with three late-stage Foundation Establishment great cultivators, the third rank spirit vein was shared by the entire Flying Swans Archipelago.
Any cultivator who reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection could, according to the agreement, go to the third rank spirit vein to attempt Core Formation and strive for the Golden Core stage.
But this welfare had already existed in name only for over a hundred years.
Ever since Yan Nantian, the Southern Heaven Adept, occupied Moon Invitation Island, the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators on the thirty-six islands no longer had a peaceful and safe place to attempt Core Formation.
Core Formation?
If you want to form your core, where does that leave the Southern Heaven Adept?
It was precisely for this reason that, despite the Flying Swans Archipelago having the Sea Ocean Righteous Alliance's Linked Island Formation Technique to defend against demons, a safe cultivation ground, there were still times when Foundation Establishment cultivators would leave and never return.
Promotion was hopeless! Yan Nantian, the nominal master of the Flying Swans, didn't care about the thoughts of those below him.
As long as his base remained stable, he could continue cultivating here.
And his base naturally consisted of the numerous population of the Flying Swans Archipelago and this third rank spirit ground, Moon Invitation Island.
At this moment, in a tranquil chamber on the island.
A withered, yellow-faced middle-aged man knelt in meditation, voraciously devouring the surrounding spiritual energy.
Within his aura sea, a blue golden core spun rapidly, greedily swallowing the preliminary refined spiritual power.
A powerful aura was suppressed within his body, about to surge forth.
"After a hundred years, healing my injuries, and diligently cultivating, I, Yan, will finally advance to the fourth layer of the Golden Core, reaching the mid-stage realm!"
"At that time, unless the Demon Devouring Stream sends a late-stage Golden Core great cultivator, no one will be able to stop me."
"I can finally leave this remote place, return to Laboring Swallow Island, and restore my Yan Family!"
As his thoughts turned, the suppressed power within him grew stronger.
The cultivation realm was steadily improving, like water flowing smoothly into a channel.
Just then, a sense of foreboding erupted in his mind.
Yan Nantian grunted, and the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth momentarily stagnated.
"The Ten Thousand Souls Array is under attack?"
"Could it be that the strong cultivators of the Demon Devouring Stream have finally found us?"
"Should we flee or fight?"
"No, after so many years of accumulation, I can't abandon all my efforts now!"
"The Ten Thousand Souls Array can still hold them off for a while, and there's plenty of time."
As his thoughts raced, the skinny man with a yellow face slapped his storage bag, and a pill flew out, which he immediately swallowed.
The next moment, the Golden Core within his body rotated even faster, and the stagnant spiritual energy of heaven and earth once again frantically surrounded him, rushing into his body like a baby swallow returning to its nest.
...
Outside the small lake on Moon Invitation Island.
A figure stood by the lake.
Beside him stood a round, gray cauldron, from which billows of fire emerged, spreading towards the ten-mile-wide lake.
As if stimulated, the pitch-black dense fog covering the lake began to churn.
Shouts and howls of agony echoed through the clouds.
The surge of energy was so powerful that even the clouds of the night sky were dispersed, revealing a full moon.
The bright moonlight poured down, attempting to cover the earth, but it couldn't advance an inch under the fire and black fog.
Within the black fog, ghostly shadows loomed, frantically spewing ghostly energy to disperse the incoming malevolent qi.
Luo Chen watched this scene, his heart slightly calming.
Indeed, the Fiery Poison Mist had a peculiar effect on the large array formed by the Soul Seizing Banner.
Although the malevolent fire was a filthy substance, it also embodied the essence of yang and fierce heat, making it the nemesis of the Ghost Soul path.
Next, he only needed to wait for the complete release of the Fiery Poison Mist to fill the ten-mile-wide lake, and then he could engage in a full-scale battle.
"However, at this point, why hasn't Yan Nantian shown himself?"
Luo Chen frowned, unsure why his opponent hadn't revealed himself.
But his actions didn't slow down in the slightest.
His spiritual power surged, and the Fiery Poison Mist was fully released!
Amidst the dense firelight, a grayish-white figure appeared.
It was the Flourish and Wither Malevolent Qi, left behind by the Flourish and Wither Fire after consuming a large amount of life force, a dead and desolate malevolent qi.
The last time it appeared was during the Danxia Mountain Defense Battle, where it destroyed the Seven-Colored Danxia Grand Array meticulously arranged by Min Longyu.
This malevolent qi was highly corrosive!
...
As Luo Chen took action, the wails and howls on Moon Invitation Island reached their peak, spreading for thousands of miles.
The sound was clearly audible on the surrounding large and small islands.
The mortals and Qi Condensation Cultivators on the islands were all shocked and terrified.
Meanwhile, the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators on the various islands quietly approached Moon Invitation Island, filled with astonishment and uncertainty.
Just as they reached a hundred-mile range, seven figures shot up from below, blocking their path.
In the moonlight, the crowd saw a white-robed man standing with a smile.
"Fellow Cultivators, this is as close as you can get to the battlefield."
"It's Cheng Family Master of Black Swan Island!"
A surprised exclamation rose from the crowd.
Then, a series of questioning voices were directed at Cheng Dou.
"Family Master Cheng, what happened up ahead?"
"Did the Southern Heaven Adept lose control and fall into demonic madness, or is there a powerful enemy at the door?"
"Cheng Dou, what are you trying to do? Are you planning to rebel against the Southern Heaven Adept?"
A series of questions and reproaches came at them.
Especially the latter! Cheng Dou's face turned cold. "Yan Nantian has been committing heinous acts for a hundred years, occupying the Flying Swans Archipelago, and his crimes are numerous. Fellow Cultivators, do you still have your hearts set on this person?"
Such righteous words! The crowd looked at each other in surprise.
An experienced and cautious cultivator quietly asked, "Fellow Cultivator Cheng, to be honest, did you invite the strong cultivators of the Demon Devouring Stream?"
Cheng Dou's eyebrows rose. "It seems Fellow Cultivator Xu also knows that the Demon Devouring Stream is hunting down Yan Nantian."
The Xu surname cultivator nodded. "If we didn't know before, it would be fine, but in recent years, the Demon Devouring Stream has risen to prominence, uniting with various forces to compete with the Sea Ocean Righteous Alliance for spirit island territories and the Demon Domain hegemony. How could we not be aware of this?"
But what does this have to do with Yan Nantian, a mere Golden Core Cultivator? Cheng Dou chuckled, and indeed, there were many on the Flying Swans Archipelago who were dissatisfied with Yan Nantian.
Many had secretly investigated Yan Nantian's background and learned about the existence of his enemies.
Since this was the case, many things would become easier.
"As for the Azure Sun Demon Lord, although he isn't a strong cultivator of the Demon Devouring Stream, in terms of origin, he might be from the same lineage as the founder of the Demon Devouring Stream."
Azure Sun Demon Lord!
Hearing this unfamiliar name, the crowd was taken aback, their faces filled with bewilderment.
They had never heard of him!
But hearing that he might be from the same lineage as the founder of the Demon Devouring Stream, they understood.
Rumor had it that the founder of the Demon Devouring Stream was a Primordial Spirit Elder of the Yuanmo Sect who had survived outside during the sect's destruction.
After the Yuanmo Sect was destroyed, he managed to survive.
Later, when the Demon Race occupied the North Pole Night Mo, he gathered the Yuanmo Sect's scattered cultivators and established the Demon Devouring Stream.
If the Azure Sun Demon Lord was from the same lineage, then he, too, was a remnant of the Yuanmo Sect.
The connection between the two was deep, and it was only natural for him to help his fellow sect members by eliminating Yan Nantian.
Upon learning this news, even the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators who had intended to help Yan Nantian couldn't help but have second thoughts.
Just then, a blue light appeared in Cheng Dou's hand.
The light slowly rose, and as he drew his fingers to the sides, a huge water mirror appeared in the air.
He lifted his hands and said, "This is the Water Mirror Art left by that senior, which can help us observe the battlefield in detail."
"Fellow Cultivators, let's witness the Demon Lord's methods together!"
The water mirror continued to expand, and in the blink of an eye, it formed a light curtain with an area of several zhang. The scene within the light curtain was lifelike, as if it were right before their eyes.
Such skill elicited a chorus of exclamations.
In the Northern Sea Immortal Cultivation World, cultivators who practiced water-based techniques were in the majority.
But those who could display the most basic Water Mirror Art to such a degree were few and far between!
That senior was undoubtedly a master of water techniques! For a moment, everyone was excited, their eyes wide open, ready to witness this battle.
After all, this was a Golden Core Realm battle, and it was rare to be able to observe it in such detail.
As long as they could grasp even a fraction of the battle, whether in cultivation or combat, they would benefit infinitely!
Cheng Dou ignored their astonishment.
Perhaps he had been impressed at first, but now, he looked down upon their limited knowledge.
The Azure Sun Demon Lord was allowing them to watch this Golden Core Realm battle for free! After witnessing the Demon Lord's methods, Cheng Family could then rely on the Demon Lord's might to unify the various powers of the Flying Swans Archipelago.
All gifts had their prices secretly marked.
The Cheng Family had given their all, and when the time came, they could use this to intimidate and reclaim even more!
Suddenly, the Xu-surname cultivator from earlier exclaimed in surprise.
"That divine soul aura, isn't it Peng Yu's?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Dou's heart trembled, and he quickly turned to look at the Water Mirror.
In the mirror, amidst the chaotic black mist torn by the endless fire, dozens of figures emerged.
Leading them was an old man with white hair and a youthful face, and even in his ghostly form, his majestic presence was undeniable.
Instead, with the support of the black mist, he appeared even more formidable.
Peng Yu, the supreme elder of the Flying Swallow Archipelago's first family a hundred years ago!
He had once attempted to breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage, but although he failed, he was fortunate enough to condense a false core.
This person was highly skilled, proficient in water school spells, and was known as Vast Ocean.
However, a hundred years ago, when Yan Nantian took control of the Flying Swallow Archipelago, Peng Yu met his unfortunate demise.
No one expected him to appear in such a state.
"He was forcibly refined into the Soul Seizing Banner by Yan Nantian!"
"To have lived a life of such honor, yet to be denied freedom even in death, Peng Yu is truly pitiable."
Hearing others' sighs, Cheng Dou's throat felt dry.
Peng Yu was far superior, and could be considered Cheng Dou's senior.
In life, he had even reached the False Core Stage.
Yet, this was his tragic end.
What if the Azure Sun Demon Lord followed Yan Nantian's example...
For a moment, Cheng Dou felt a twinge of regret.
The others, unaware of his deal with Luo Chen, stared intently at the Water Mirror.
After Peng Yu's malevolent soul appeared, the remaining dozens of figures gradually appeared one by one.
The cultivators present, after recognizing a few familiar figures, couldn't help but exclaim.
Three great cultivators from the Peng Family were among them.
There were also nine ordinary Foundation Establishment True Cultivators from the Peng Family.
The entire Peng Family, from top to bottom, had been refined into the soul banner!
Subsequently, several others were identified within the group of ghosts.
These individuals were all cultivators from the Flying Swallow Archipelago, from families that had been annihilated, and they had all interacted with the Peng Family in life.
For a moment, everyone felt a deep sorrow.
"South Heaven Ascendant is too brutal. Even if these people opposed him, there was no need to kill them so mercilessly."
"Indeed, not even sparing their fragmented souls, preventing them from reincarnation."
"The world is in decline, and morality has fallen! When the Demon Sect still existed, even if the demonic cultivators ran rampant, they at least showed some restraint. Now that the Demon Sect is gone, the demons are unrestrained, even with the Sea Ocean Righteous Alliance trying to restore order. But these demonic heads below act without scruples, directly refining souls into banners."
"One, two... Hiss, eight late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators' souls!"
"Yan Nantian is too ruthless. I don't even recognize the rest."
As the Fiery Poison Mist surged in the mirror, sweeping away the black mist, the true form of the Ten Thousand Souls Array gradually revealed itself to the crowd.
The more they saw, the more shocked they became.
The divided souls of eight late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators were enough to astonish anyone, as if great cultivators were giving away their souls.
There were also over forty souls of cultivators in the Core Formation Stage.
The remaining Qi Condensation Stage souls were somewhat easier to explain, as most were sea demon souls. But the sheer number, densely packed, was almost uncountable, with at least tens of thousands of souls!
The Xu-surname cultivator took a deep breath, "I've only heard rumors of the Ten Thousand Souls Pennant being able to accommodate so many souls. Moreover, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators is truly excessive. If a Golden Core main soul were added, even the most renowned Ten Thousand Souls Banners would pale in comparison to this one!"
"Xu, your insight is indeed profound. Yan Nantian's Ten Thousand Souls Banner does indeed have a Golden Core main soul!" Cheng Dou spoke bitterly, but his face maintained an expression as if everything was within his expectations.
After he spoke, everyone present couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Yan Nantian, what a ruthless person! He actually refined a Ten Thousand Souls Banner with a Golden Core main soul, and its quality is so high.
But with this, can the so-called Azure Sun Demon Lord truly defeat him?
...
Lakeside!
-
Under his control, the Fiery Poison Mist surged forward, sweeping through the Ten Thousand Souls Array, which, without a host, was almost powerless to stop it.
Especially where the Withering Prosperity True Flame passed, numerous low-level sea demon souls were directly scattered.
Even the Core Formation Stage souls couldn't resist and were swept away, though they could reform, but their might was clearly far weaker than before.
Deep within the array, the howls grew increasingly agitated.
It seemed that the Golden Core Stage soul seated at the center could no longer endure.
"The existence of a Demon King is nothing to me now."
"Why hasn't Yan Nantian appeared at such a critical moment?"
Luo Chen pinched a spirit talisman, and his eyes instantly shone with divine light.
His spirit eyes seemed to peer into the Netherworld, penetrating the endless black mist and reaching the center of the lake, where Inviting Moon Island was located.
In an instant!
A majestic aura rose, soaring into the sky, seemingly breaking free from its shackles.
Luo Chen's face changed slightly.
"How bold, to attempt a breakthrough right now, do you think I'm just a decoration?"
Before he finished speaking, he soared into the night sky.
The bright moon shone on his back, and divine light enveloped his eyes.
He gathered his aura, raised his hand, and with a heaven-shaking palm strike, he pressed down!
On one side of the array, a black light shot into the sky, attempting to block the palm strike.
Luo Chen glared at it.
"Get out of my way!"
Mirror Flower Moonlight was suddenly activated, and the black light became dazed, its figure staggered, and the mighty palm strike descended like a scorching sun.
It was the Azure Sun Great Palm! If he used it, he would use his most powerful move without reservation.
With the palm strike, the entire ten-mile lake exploded.
The small island at the center of the lake, nourished by spiritual energy for eight hundred years, was blasted a thousand feet into the ground.
An aura like a surging tide rose from the depths of the earth.
Boundless killing intent, accompanied by a heart-wrenching roar, surged towards Luo Chen.
"You despicable villain, I'll kill you!"
Two blue giant dragons circled a withered figure, emerging from the exploding water droplets.
Seeing this, Luo Chen sneered, reached out his hand, and the Blackfire Sword fell into his grasp.
"Perfect timing!"
(End of Chapter)
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